Abstract:CMDBs and CMDB Systems are in fact multi-dimensional. Understanding this point, as well as several of the key dimensions themselves, can grant IT added flexibility and choice in how they approach CMDB product purchases and CMDB System deployments. This Advisory Note provides an overview of the CMDB when viewed as a system and offers useful and practical terminology for CMDB System adopters. It will help you gain clarity and insight around how configuration information should come together from various tools and data repositories across the IT organization. This Advisory Note will also help you learn about the different roles CMDBs can take as well as the two most common high-level usage scenarios EMA has identified for CMDB systems.